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A former Prime Minister of Australia, the Right Hon Malcolm Fraser is internationally recognised for his contribution to human rights. Fraser graduated in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Oxford in 1952. Three years later he was elected to the Federal Parliament, at 25 years of age becoming its youngest Member.

He went on to serve as Army Minister, Minister for Education and Science and Minister for Defence. In 1975 Fraser became Leader of the Opposition and in the Constitutional Crisis was appointed caretaker Prime Minister by Governor-General Sir John Kerr. Fraser's Coalition Government was returned in the subsequent election by the largest majority ever attained in a federal election.

His eight years as Prime Minister saw the establishment of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia. Also, the Northern Territory was granted self-government, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act was introduced and the Great Barrier Reef was declared a Marine Park.

In 1985 Fraser chaired the United Nations Hearings on the Role of Multinationals in South Africa and Namibia. He was later Co-Chairman of the Commonwealth Committee of Eminent Persons that sought to encourage reform in South Africa. Fraser was Chairman of CARE Australia for 14 years and President of CARE International.

He has been honoured with the Order of the Companion of Honour and the Companion of the Order of Australia. In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal and in 2006 was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, an Imperial Honour of Japan. Fraser has received Honorary Doctors of Laws from Murdoch University and the University of New South Wales and a Doctor of Letters from Deakin University.